Railroad switch heater



0ct.27;197o JfLCZYL 3,536,909

- RAILROAD SWITCH HEATER 7' Filed Jan. 29,1969 2 Sheets9-Sheet,l

. I E I NVENTORL F/IGA v E/ A TO Y United States Patent ic 3,536,909 RAILROAD SWITCH HEATER Joseph L. Czyl, Glenview, 11]., assignor to Vapor Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 29, 1969, Ser. No. 794,985 Int. Cl. E01b 7/24 US. Cl. 246-428 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Railroad switch heater for applying heat to a railroad switch, thereby melting any accumulated snow and ice and maintaining the switch free of snow and ice, wherein the switch heater includes means for applying heat directly to the switch points, as well as those sections of the rail coacting directly with the switch points.

This invention relates in general to a railroad switch heater for applying heat to a railroad switch for melting ice and snow and maintaining the switch clear of ice and snow, so that it is operable, and more particularly to a switch heater capable of applying heat directly to the switch points and associated rail, as well as switch rods, or any other movable elements of a switch.

Stopping of a train or holding a train against further movement because of a switch being frozen up with ice and/or snow constitutes a very costly and troublesome problem. Railroad companies have employed many devices and machines for removing ice and snow from switches in an attempt to alleviate this problem. Most heaters heretofore employed apply heat directly to the outside of each rail at the switch and along the entire length of the switch to raise the temperature of the rail and steel parts associated therewith for melting the ice and snow. Because of the high direct heat often applied to the rails, warping often occurs that can ultimately produce malfunctioning of a switch. More importantly, application of heat only to the outside of the rails fails to melt ice and snow on components arranged between the rails, such as switch points and switch rods. It has also been necessary heretofore to provide in switch heaters firing units on both sides of the switch. Moreover, switch heaters heretofore developed have most often been mounted on the ground adjacent the rails, and therefore, become subject to clogging and malfunctioning, because of the dirt and snow.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to obviate the above mentioned difliculties and provide a new and improved railroad switch heater capable of completely and economically applying heat to a switch for melting of ice and/or snow without in any way adversely affecting the switch structure and/or operation.

The switch heater of the present invention includes a housing mounted along one side. of the switch adjacent one of the rails in an elevated position above the ground for supporting one or more burners. Each of the burners are aligned with a space between adjacent ties and provided with a heat distribution tube that extends downwardly beneath the rail and inwardly within the space between adjacent ties. A suitable duct encloses the distribution tube and extends further between the ties to allow direct distribution of hot gases and/or radiant heat to any component of the switch including the switch points and swtich rods. The burners fire downwardly, thereby allowing all critical components to be mounted above the tie and be less subject to malfunctioning caused by dirt and/or snow. Thus, the heater distributes heat to the critical areas of a switch, thereby maintaining the critical areas free of ice and snow and permitting proper operation of the switch. Because of the heat distribution com- 3,536,909 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 ponents of the switch heater, it is only necessary to mount the critical components or firing units of the switch heater along one side of the switch, thereby reducing the overall cost of the switch heater, as well as the overall operational cost.

The present invention is further especially useful to distribute heat to such hard-to-heat areas as are present in double slipover or puzzle switches. Because most rail movement in switches occurs at and adjacent the switch points, there being very little movement at the heel, it is only necessary to apply the heater of the present invention to about 50 to 60% of the length of the switch, where the moving parts are located. While heat is distributed from the ducts in the form of hot gases at critical areas, radiant heat is also emitted adjacent the burner and transmtited directly to the adjacent rail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a railroad switch heater for removing ice and/or snow from a switch by applying heat to hard-to-heat locations in a switch, thereby eliminating the need for manual removal of ice and/ or snow in such locations.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a crosssection taken through a switch having a heater mounted relative thereto according to the invention;

FIG. 2 isa top plan view of a burner and duct assembly being broken for purposes of clarity, and in accordance with the heater of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through a burner and duct assembly of FIG. 2, substantially along line 33 thereof, and illustrating in phantom the rails and switch points of a switch;

FIG. 4 is a detailed, sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a switch heater according to the invention as mounted along a rail supported on ties, with some parts broken away and omitted for purposes of clarity, and where the switch points are omitted for purposes of clarity.

The switch heater of the present invention is equally applicable to simple and complex switch arrangements for the purpose of applying heat at the proper locations to maintain the movable components of the switch free for normal operation even where snow and ice may be normally encountered. Quite obviously, a switch having a switch heater according to the invention, if frozen, could be completely thawed by the switch heater when it is placed into operation. Heat is applied directly to the switch points and the switch rods, as well as to the areas of the rail in the switch arrangement.

The switch heater of the invention may be applied in a variety of installations. It is especially applicable for clearing up such hard-to-heat switches such as the double slip (puzzle) switch, which is difficult, because of the mass and location of the movable points. The heater of the invention may be accompanied as an addon feature to standard heaters, and may be used in railroad marshalling where many short switches need to be cleared to allow for freight and passenger car processing. Moreover, the heater of the invention is low enough in cost that it need not be considered as a capital investment, which requires special purchase approval.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG.

' 1, a pair of opposed rails 10 and 11 are shown in a switch arrangement and associated with a pair of switch points 12 and 13 for simultaneous movement toward or away from rails 10 or 11. It can be appreciated that any number of switch rods may be employed. While of no consequence to the illustrated embodiment, a switch rod extension 14a may be provided to interconnect with switch points of an adjacent set of rails, so that all are operated together. In order to maintain the switch in operable condition, and free of ice and snow, the switch points and switch rods must be maintained for movement toward and away from the rails and 11. Any accumulation of ice and/ or snow between the switch point and the adjacent rail, or between a switch rod and the ties or ground would inhibit movement of the switch points and causes a malfunctioning of the switch. The heater of the present invention maintains the movable components of the switch free and clear of ice and/or snow, so that they may be moved at any time.

As seen in FIG. 5, a typical heater for a switch would include a plurality of burner assemblies 15 suitably mounted adjacent the outside of one of the rails in the switch arrangement. A distributor tube 16 is associated with each burner and in turn associated with an elongated duct 17 that is mounted between adjacent railroad ties 18, upon which the switch is supported. In particular, the adjacent ties define a space 19 therebetween into which the ducts 17 are received. A main fuel supply line 20 having an inlet 21 supplies fuel to each of the burner assemblies. While any type of fuel may be employed, it will be appreciated that gas is one convenient type and the one most probably used.

A lighter 22 serves as a pilot device for lighting any of the burners. It will be appreciated that the burners will be lighted manually or with a constant pilot or by spark plug ignition for remote starting. Suitable installation may be provided for handling automatic lighting. It will be recognized that the heater may be set up to use any multiple of burners depending upon the designed capacity of the heater and the size of the switch arrangement.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4, the burner assembly 15 is illustrated as being mounted adjacent one of the switch rails at the outside thereof and in an inclined position, so that it points inwardly and downwardly beneath the rail. Moreover, each burner assembly will be mounted in alignment with a space 19 defined between adjacent ties 18. The flue gas distributor tube 16 functions as an extension of the burner assembly to carry the flue gases downwardly and inwardly to the duct 17. Accordingly, the distribution tube 16*is in the form of an elbow having an inlet portion 16a and an outlet portion 16b. A plurality of holes 23 are provided along the discharge end portion 16b of the distribution tube for permitting proper combustion air and allowing flue gases to be expelled therefrom. It can be seen that the discharge portion 16b is received within the duct 17.

The duct 17 is generally rectangular in cross section as seen in FIG. 4 and is open at its opposite ends at 24 and 25, which ends terminate just below the switch points 12 and 13 at opposite sides of the switch. Thus, flue gases discharge within the duct 17, flow in both directions and out both end openings 24 and 25 to provide a discharge of hot flue gases at the switch point locations. This maintains the switch points and adjacent rail free of ice and/ or snow, so that the switch may operate freely at all times. As seen in FIG. 5, suitable duct mounting straps 26 are employed to fasten the ducts relative the adjacent ties in the tie spaces 19. However, other suitable means may be employed to fasten the ducts in place.

The switch rods 14 are maintained free of ice and/ or snow by the convective and radiant heat emitted from the duct 17. It makes no difference that the switch rods are directly over the ducts or over an adjacent tie, as the heat emitted will maintain adjacent ties free and clear of ice and snow. However, it will be appreciated that the switch rods are generally aligned over the open areas between ties, and, therefore, will be aligned over the heater ducts. Radiant heat is also emitted from the burner assembly and distribution tube beneath and around the rail 11 to aid in maintaining it free and clear of ice and/ or snow.

Covers 27 are mounted on the outside of the rails to retain some of the flue gases and radiant heat at an area to heat the rails, and to also protect the burner assemblies. As seen particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3, the covers 27 extend outwardly from the heads of the rails and downwardly over the burner assemblies. The covers enhance the application of the flue gases and radiant heat by preventing them from escaping directly upwardly at the outsides of the rails. Normally, the covers will only extend 50 to 60% of the length of the switch, as it is only necessary that this amount of the track need be clear, since there is little or no rail movement at the heel. The downward firing concept of the burner serves to keep the burner components and orifices out of the dirt and snow, thereby reducing maintenance. This also allows the heater to operate when the crib is frozen over by providing a relief hole in the burner tube. It will be appreciated that the heater may be adjusted for installation variance due to various rail heights and tie spacings, as well as to allow for clearance of the switch rods.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In combination with a railroad switch having movable rails and switch points interconnected for simul taneous movement by switch rod means and associated with fixed rails mounted on ties, a switch heater for applying heat to the switch points and rod means and the fixed rails, said switch heater comprising a plurality of burners mounted adjacent the outside of a fixed rail each one of which is in alignment with a space defined by adjacent ties and one of which aligns with the switch points and switch rod means, a heat distribution tube extending inwardly and downwardly from each said burner and beneath the adjacent fixed rail into a space defined by adjacent ties, said tube terminating intermediate the rails, and a duct for each distribution tube having a cross section substantially greater than that of the tube and extending in said space and telescopically receiving the tube, each duct having opposed open ends terminable adjacent the opposed rails and the duct aligning with the switch points having opposed open ends terminable below the switch points, wherein the heat distributed in the duct is discharged through both ends of said duct, and a cover member over said burners extending to the adjacent rail to deflect heat generated by the burners toward said rail.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 869,987 11/1907 Shaw 246-428 1,273,291 7/1918 Vaughan 246-428 2,048,533 7/1936 Zavatkay 246-428 2,199,960 5/1940 Palmer 246-428 3,223,835 12/1965 Cherry et al 246-428 3,312,820 4/1967 Watkins 246-428 3,439,161 4/1969 McElwee 246-428 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner R. A. BERTSCH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 126-271.l 

